Telephone system for automatic answering, recording messages, and recording normal conversations



Jan. 23, 1951 A. JORDANOFF ET AL TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC ANSWERING,

RECORDING MESSAGES AND RECORDING NORMAL CONVERSATIONS Filed July 14, 1949 Jan. 23, 1951 A. JORDANOFF ET Al. 2,539,139

TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR AUToMATc ANSWERING,

RECORDING MESSAGES AND RECORDINGv NORMAL coNvERSATIoNs Filed July 14, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m SE I W I S+ I I Si E: I l g. I E I M I I Il] I I ff- I s .r1 N

I I f E I S I ,f I

I E I I I I I l I \I E JNIENTOR5 A. JORDANOFF ET AL TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC ANSWERING,

Jan. 23, 1951I RECORDING MESSAGES AND RECORDING NORMAL CONVERSATIONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1949 Patented Jan. 23, 1951 TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC AN- SWERING, RECORDlNG MESSAGES, AND RECORDING NORMAL CONVERSATIONS Assen .lordanoff and Norman Robin, New York, N. Y., assignors to Jordaphone Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application `lilly 14, 1949, Serial No. 104,744

24 Claims.

The present invention has for its principal object the provision of an improved multi-purpose system capable of performing a plurality of useful functions in connection with telephone message transmission, reception, and recordation particularly the automatic answering of an incoming call and recording for subsequent repetition of callers messages in the absence of a receiving party who might otherwise answer the telephone and hear the message in the conventional manner. To that end the invention contemplates particularly the provision of structurally and operationally simple means for automatically operating a telephone instrument to establish contact with a caller upon receipt of the conventional signal announcing an incoming call, for transmitting to the caller a prerecorded message advising him of the would be receiving partys absence and that any message which he cares to leave will be recorded, and for automatically recording such a message of a predeterminable time limit. It contemplates further the provision of means whereby the would be receiving party may later repeat or play back the recorded message. Additionally, it contemplates the provision of simplified means permitting the conversion of the system to a condition in which it may record both sides of a normal two-way telephone conversation when the would be receiving party is actually present and capable of answering in the normal manner. Still further, means are provided whereby the recording elements of the system may be employed to record any other speech or sound apart from those transmitted over a telephone line and while it is completely out of operation.

The features of the invention upon which patent protection is sought are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself together with further objects and the many advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following specification of one illustrative embodiment thereof which will be better visualized with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a schematic layout of that embodiment for the purpose of permitting ready visualization of the functions of the principal elements and their inter-relations; while,

Figs. 2A and 2B represent one illustrative detail layout of various circuits and elements which will implement the objects of the invention and the functional desiderata indicated by the 1flig. l together with further circuits and elements in the nature of auxiliaries refining the performance of the system.

2 THE SYSTEM 1N GENERAL Referring now to the Fig. 1, the system there outlined may be viewed as centered around a telephone instrument l, preferably of the conventional type in which a unitary receiver-transmitter 2 rests on a standard 3 having therein a coil of an annunciator or bell which normally announces an incoming call, and the circuit opening and closing members 5 which establish a conversation circuit when the instrument is lifted from the standard in the usual manner and disestablish it when the instrument rests on members E. Associated with the instrument just described there have been provided means such as a coil 5 which may be termed the automatic speech pick-up coil, inductively or otherwise related to conventional elements in a receiver portion or earpiece l ,for picking up a signal corresponding to the callers voice; means such as loudspeaker 3 positioned adjacent a transmitter portion or mouthpiece 9 for transmitting a prereeorded message to the caller or for playing back a callers message or other recordings; and means for deriving a signal from the conventional device announcing an incoming call, such as the inductive coil l which may be inductively related to the coil ll. Coil Il! may also represent a pickup coil for picking up normal two-way conversations as hereinafter explained. The pick-up coil 6 may be mounted on a reciprocating rod Il operated by an electromagnetic solenoid-plunger device I2 positioned at its lower end in such manner that upon energization of the device I2 the pick-up coil 6 will move upward into contact with the earpiece 'l and thereafter raise it and the main body of the transmitter-receiver suficiently to permit the closing of the telephone circuit through the members 5 to establish a conversation circuit in the usual manner. Suitable mechanisms for performing this latter lifting function are described and claimed in a copending application, Serial No. 104,745, led by Assen J ordano and Norman Robin concurrently herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Forthe performance of the functions presently to be described, there may be provided the following elements:

Two time-delay control or switching means I3 and lll are connected to the coil Il! in such mann ner that, upon receipt of a signal announcing an incoming call, the rst switch I3 will function in a time-delay manner to set and maintain in operation the device I2 lifting the telephone transmitter-receiver 2, and a motor I5 driving forty-five seconds, during which the caller will have opportunity to hear the pre-recorded message and then record a message of his own tobe heard by the would be receiving party upon his return. rIhe second means Ill will function simi-- larly for a shorter period, for eXampleLfteen Y seconds, suflcient only to permit the sending of the pre-recorded message to the caller.

In the sound recording and reproducing mechanisms there are provided a turntable mechanism I6 driven by motor E5 and adapted to carry both a disk I'I having a pre-recorded message thereon and a spool i8 adapted to contain a magnetizable Wire I9 for recording an incoming message or for other purposes to be described hereinafter. The wire l2 is initially wound onto a second spool 2I'1'in the usual manner and that may be provided with the conventional rewind mechanism 2l which may be likewise driven by motor I5 by means not shown. For the purpose of recordation or play-back of messages recorded on the wire, the usual pick-up and recording head 22 may be provided and, additionally, the conventional high frequency (30 kilocycles) erasing' mechanism 23 which conditions the wire for receipt of a recording in the usual manner. Pickup of the pre-recorded message on disk il may be accomplished by the conventional crystal pickup or other mechanism 2d functioning with the usual tone arm 25. The device 2=3 comprises a mechanism which will drop the pick-up arm 25 to the disk il' upon initiation of operation by coil I0 through means ill and at the end of the predetermined time for transmission of the prerecorded message, e` g., fifteen seconds, will raise the arm 25 and return it to its initial position so that it may be in a condition `to repeat the message to subsequent callers. Suitable mechanisms for performing this arm moving function are described and claimed in a copending application, Serial No. 104,745, filed concurrently herewith by Norman Robin and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

For the purpose of transmitting the various messages from the telephone instrument to the sound recording and reproducing mechanisms, or from the latter to speaker 8 there may be provided a conventional sound amplifier 2'! connected as shown. A microphone 28 attached to the input of the amplier may be provided for use in connection with conversations or sounds originating other than in the telephone lines.

In order to permit the operator at the local station to set the system for the automatic answering and recording of messages in his absence, or for the performance of its other functions (recording of normal two-way telephone conversations during his presence, play-back, rewind, or microphone recording), suitable two po' sition selector switching means 29 may be provided which will function in the manner to be indicated below. Further, in order to permit that operator to set the system either to record automatic or normal telephone messages, to play back a recorded message, or, to function as a recorder ofispeech or sound through the microphone, 23 when totally unassociated with the telephone conversation circuit, there may also be provided.

suitable three-position selector switching means St which will function in the manner also to be described. Winding of wire I9 during recording or play back, or rewinding may be provided by suitable manually operable switching means 3| so arranged vthat only in .its position No. l can means i3 and I6 and eraser 32 be energized, the. motor i5 being energized as indicated in the respective positions. Position 1 of switch 3| prepares Ymotor I5 forautomatic operation when switch 29 is in position l; when switch 25J is in position 2, position l of switch 3l ener-gizes" motor I5. Conventional means 32 for transmitting to the caller a signal advising him that his conversation is being recorded may also be provided.

For simplicity of illustration, the functions only and not the completed circuits of these various switching means are shown schematically by way of the indicated dotted lines. Similarly, for the other elements, the functions only are indicatedY by the full lines. The full circuit connections will be understood from a consideration of Fig. 2.

Automatic operation to answer and record incoming messages in receiving party/s absence In order to illustrate the functioning of the system for the purpose indicated in the would be receiving partys absence, assume that the telephone receiver-transmitterv 2 is resting in its normal position on the standard 3 in which the telephone circuits are completely inactive. The would be receiving party will previously have set the selector switches 29 and 3G and means 3l on their positions No. l in which condition the system will be ready to receive an incoming call automatically by making the pre-recorded announcement to the caller and prepared to record his message. This condition results from the fact that means 3l will have connected means I3, I4 and motor I5 in circuit ready forenergization by other elements to be indicated; and selector switch 29 will have partially connected the coil 6 to and disconnected coil I0 from the input of the amplifier 21 (coil Iis also used for pick-up in recording normalconversations), energized various control circuits such as by applying power to means I3 and I4, and prepared the vcircuits of motor I5 and device` I2 for energization of both of them upon operation of means I3. Similarly, the selector1 switch 30 will have disconnected the microphone 28 and the playback circuit (hereinafter sometimes called ,the reproduction circuit) at the same time. that it completed connection of thecoil 6 to the amplier input and connected the amplieroutput to the recorder head 22 to establisha circuit for the automatic recording of the callers message (hereinafter sometimes caled thegreception circuit). Except for rotation of turntable I5 to move wire I9, the system is now in a condition to record sound signals induced in coil 6 when transmitterreceiver 2 is lifted although there will be a temporary interruption of that condtion A,for l,the mentioned period (iifteen seconds) of transmission of the pre-recorded message on disk I'I as will be described.

Suppose now that an incoming call is received and announced by currents in the bell coil. Corresponding currents will thereupon be induced in the coil I0 to initiate operation of the timedelay switching means I3 and begin the running of the first-mentioned predetermined period, e. g., forty-five seconds. The same action of the coil IU will simultaneously initiate the action of the time-delay switching means I4 whereby the other predetermined time period, e. g., fifteen seconds, will begin simultaneously with that of the means i3. Initiation of the operation of the means i3 will cause it to perform three functions. First, it will lift the transmitter-receiver 2 through the electromagnetic device I2 thereby closing the telephone circuit for message transmission either Way. Secondly, it will initiate rotation of the disk Il and the wire collecting spool I8 by energizing the motor I5. Lastly, it will close the circuit of means 32.

Such action would complete the conditioningof the system to record the callers voice except for the fact that the action of the means I4 will prevent such recordation for the fteen' second interval in which it is operative. The reasons are as follows: Upon initiation, the means I4 will disconnect the recorder head so that neither the callers voice nor the local recorded message will be recorded during this fifteen second interval. After the end of that interval the recorder head will again be connected for the recording of the callers voice. Also, at the initiation of this fteen second interval the means I4 will perform the following three functions: First, it will connect the Speaker 8 with the amplifier output. Secondly, it will connect the output coil 24 associated with arm 25 to the f amplier input. By these two steps the system is placed in condition to transmit the message on the local record of disk I'I to the speaker 8 and thence to the caller over a circuit hereinafter sometimes called the transmission circuit. Third, and to complete the functioning, the means I4 will operate the device 25 to drop the arm 25 to the disk I i at the beginning of the fifteen second interval. At the end of the interval, the device 26 will pick the arm 25 up from the disk and return it to its initial position for subsequent reiteration of the pre-recorded message should another call later arrive. At the same time, it will break the circuit of the pick-up coil 24, disconnect speaker 8 and reconnect the recorder head 22 whereupon the caller may convey his message through the amplifier to the recording head (over the reception circuit) and yet that message will not be repeated back to him through the speaker.

It will be understood that, upon cessation of the forty-live second interval, the means I3 will have returned the transmitter-receiver 2 to its normal position opening the telephone circuit and deenergizing the motor I5. It will, of course, be apparent that, should subsequent calls arrive, they too will initiate the same cycle of announcement and recordation and thus there may be received any number of calls limited only by the amount of wire on the spool 20 available for recording.

Play-bucle by the local would be receiving party Should the would be receiving party return to the local station and desire to listen to any messages left during his absence, he may turn the selector switches 29 and 30 and means 3|, to the positions No. 2 which will connect the reproduction or play-back circuit (recorder head to the amplifier input and the speaker to the amplifier output) at the same time that it disconnects eraser and the reception circuit (the amplifier output from the recorder head and the coil E from the amplifier input) and the microphone 23, whereupon, having first re-wound the Wire Ll I) I9 by operating means 3l to position No. 3 (with switch 29 on position No. 2) he may proceed to listen to all messages recorded on it.

Rccordation of normal two-way conversation Of course, if the would be receiver is already present when the incoming call arrives he may Idesire rather to answer directly in conventional.

manner without use of the automatic answer system just described. At the same time, he may wish that the two-way conversation of both the callei` and himself be recorded. This may be ac complished by turning switch Se and means 3i to positions No. 1, and the selector switch 29 to the position No. 2 which, in effect,` disconnects the coil and connects the coil lil to the ampliiier input, and at the same time connects the amplier output to the recorder head to establish a circuit for recording both sides of the conversation through induction in coil iti (the circuit being hereinafter sometimes called the recording circuit). The circuit of motor IE is now closed by switch means 3l instead of means i3 which is deenergized. In this situation both sides of the conversation may be recorded without energizing any other part of the automatic answering circuit which has been disconnected by switch 29. The coil i!) is used in preference to the message pick-up coil 6 for several reasons. First, the instrument `being now in the users hand, it is inconvenient to use coil ii. Second, coil l5 will more readily pick up both sides of a conversation. rfhirdly, it is found that coil Iii may operate in its position underneath the instrument I without interference from any stray fields from the device I2 or other electromagnetic elements of the circuit because they are deenergizd. In contrast, the coil Iii, during the automatic operation, cannot normally operate in that position as a voice pick-up coil because it is in closer proximity to the device l2 and thereby would tend to pick up stray fields as from device l2 which coil 5 can not pick up so long as it is in a relatively elevated position lifting the transmitter-receiver 2.

M icrophonc operation Should, for any reason, the local operator desire to record speech or any other sound totally unassociated with the telephone system and with-l out utilizing any of the automatic apparatus thus far described, he may turn the means 3i toposition No. 1, switch 29 to position No. 2 and selector switch 30 to its position No. 3 in which case the microphone 28 alone is connected to the amplier input and the recorder 2?. alone connected to the amplifier output to set up a circuit hereinafter sometimes called the microphone circuit. The circuit of motor i5 is closed by switch 29 and meansV 3 I, and eraser E3 energized through means 3|. After making any desired recording he may then play it back by turning the selector switch 30 and means 3| back to positions No. 2 and operating as previously described.

Auz'liarg/ operations Details of certain auxiliary elements also controlled by means 253 and 3i) have been omitted in the functional layout of Fig. 1 in the interest of clarity of exposition. These however will be described in connection with Fig. 2. For one example, it may be mentioned that there may be provided a switching connection `to cause means 32 to be operated for the predetermined 45 second period by means I3, by switches 29 and Sii during normal two-Way conversation recording, and for disconnecting lt entirely when not desiredall as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

A detailed circuit Referring now to Fig. 2, many of the details of circuits and elements indicated therein will already be apparent to those skilled in the art to the extent that they comprise conventional amplifier, oscillator, power supply circuits, etc., employing conventional electron discharge devices, resistors, relays, switches, etc., all of which are arranged in the various claimed combinations to perform the functions already outlined. The functional counterparts of many of the elements illustrated in the Fig. 1 are illustrated in the Fig. 2 by the dotted outlines of like numerical designations. For convenience of illustration such elements as the telephone instrument I, the recording and play-back sound recording and reproducing mechanisms, the means 2G for the arm 25, and the mechanical devices for lifting the transmitter-receiver 2, are not shown but, rather, only the principal elements which cause them to function. The manner of connecting these omitted elements will, of course, be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The coils 6 and Ill corresponding to those of counterpart number in Fig. l are shown on the lower left-hand side of the Fig. 2 as comprising two coils the latter of which is permanently connected to the input of the amplifier-time-delay circuit, at the right thereof, comprising the means I3-I4 and both of which may be connected to selector switch 29 through a two-gang, two-position switch 33, the function of which will be described later and which is shown in its normal position for automatic or normal conversation recording. Through the upper switch 34 of the switch 29 and the resistor 35 connected to the low potential side of the power source 35, any signals imposed upon either coil 5 or i5 may be transmitted to the input of the amplifier 21 through the connections shown. The selector switch 29 is shown as comprising a four-gang, two-position mechanical switch including individual switches 34, 31, 3E and S5 operated by a suitable arm represented by the dotted line. As the numerical designations l and 2 adjacent its contacts indicate, it is shown in the automatic position corresponding to the position No. 1 of the Fig. l, i. e., in a position to answer and record a callers message in accordance with the automatic answering operation heretofore described. When moved to the position indicated by the numerical designations 2 it is in the position corresponding to position No. 2 0f Fig. 1, i. e., in a condition for the recording of normal two-way conversations.

The selector switch 35 comprises a five-gang, three-position switch similar to switch 2S and having individual switches 45, ei, 6E, 43 and 44. It is shown in the phone position No. 1 of Fig. 1. The numerical designations 1, 2 and 3 indicate positions corresponding to positions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of switch 3G in Fig. 1.

The telephone lifting device i2 and the motor control switch 46 comprising the means 3l of Fig. 1 are shown just to the right of the center of the diagram. Switch 5 providing the means for energizing means I3, IIS and eraser 23 in the position No. l of means 3i in Fig. l is ganged to switch 46 in such manner that switch 45 is closed only when 46 is on its position No. l. The means 26 of Fig. 1 for operating the tone arm 25 are shown only as comprising a solenoid 41,

also to the right of the center. This solenoid may comprise the operating element of any suitable arm operating mechanism, for example, the solenoid plunger device shown in the mentioned copending Robin application Serial No. 104,745 filed July 14, 1949.

The means for energizing the eraser 23 is shown as comprising a conventional oscillator 48 designed to oscillate, for example, at a frequency of about 30 kilocycles and coupled to a coil 49 positioned within eraser 23 in inductive relation to wire i9. A part of coil 49 is also coupled to coil 5G as shown. The recorder coil 50 of recorder head 22 is also in inductive relation to wire I9 in the usual manner.

The amplier 21 has an input terminal 5l and a ground connection 52 as its other terminal. the ground connection being, as indicated, the low potential side of power source 3S shown at the right of the diagram. The phonograph pickup coil 24 is shown as being connected into the input of the second amplifier stage when the switch 53 is operated as will be described later. Volume control is provided for the amplifier at the variable contact 54. The connections to the output of the amplier include a dummy resistor 55 connectable as a substitute for the speaker 8 through switch 55 or switch 43. Resistor 55 has the same impedance as speaker 8 and is for the purpose of retaining proper balance in the amplifier when it is desired to disconnect the speaker.

The means I3 and i4 comprise a special amplier having first two stages 56 and 51 of amplification and a third or rectifier stage 58 shown as a half wave rectifier of conventional type. Third and fourth stages 6U and E I, between which the time-delay, resistor-capacitor circuits 62 and 63 are positioned, are provided for the operation of suitable electromagnetic relays 64 and 65 which are normally deenergized and which, upon energization, will operate respectively the series of switches 6G, 61, 68 and 69 and the series of switches 53, 5S, 10 and 1I as indicated by the dotted lines. These switches are shown in the positions l which they assume when relays 64 and 65 are deenergized. When the relays are energized the switches will move to their positions 2. Each series` of switches may be a simple four-gang, two-position switch of conventional construction biased by springs to the position 1.

The operation of this amplifier, means 'I3 and I5, is substantially as follows. Upon receipt of a signal announcing an incoming call from the coil I D, a rectified uni-directional voltage will be built up across the condenser 12a of the rectifier stage 58 with the positive side applied to the grid of stage 6U. This will cause conduction in stage 60 and consequent energization of the relay 64 to draw all of the switches 66 to 69 associated therewith to the opposite position from that shown (to position 2). Simultaneously and because of the movement of switch 66 to its position 2, a similar operation occurs for the amplifier stage 6I, i. e., the imposition of a positive voltage on the grid of stage 5I by resistor-capacitor circuit 63 causes stage 6| to conduct whereby the relay 65 is energized to draw its associated switches 53, 5S, 10 and 1| to their positions 2 opposite from that shown. Both of the stages 6G and Si are normally non-conducting by virtue of a negative bias imposed upon their grids through the connection 13 which leads to the ground or low potential side of -power source 36 through resistor 14. Rectifier 14a between the high potential side of alternating current source 'i9 and the upper ends of resistor 'ifi establishes the necessary voltage across the latter. However, the stages 55 and 6i are not energizable until their cathodes are grounded by connection to the low potential side of source 'it through the indicated connections by closure of switch which occurs only when switch IES is on its position No. l.

The relay action just described which occurs upon the receipt of an incoming signal announcing a call will impose upon these biases and the input of the stages 55 and 6| positive voltages respectively of the forty-five second and :Fifteen second time durations heretofore mentioned. This action results as follows. Both of the resistor-capacitor circuits 62 and 53 normally have positive voltages imposed upon their upper ends through the connection i6 leading to a voltage doubler circuit l? and, therefore, the condensers of circuits 62 and 63 are normally positively charged. It will be seen that upon the momentary operation of the relay 6d by a momentary impulse from coil lo and the consequent moving of the switch Si to its left-hand position, the voltage of the capacitor in circuit 62 will be imposed upon the input grid of the stage 65. The similar action of switch 6B will impose the voltage of the capacitor in circuit 63 on the input of stage 6| to cause energization of relay 65. The :z

time-delay circuits 62 and S3 will cause the stages 60 and 5I to remain conducting but only so long as they retain charges sufficient for the purpose. It will be understood that the moment the switches 66 and 6l are operated to their position 2, the condensers in circuits 52 and 63 will begin to discharge at rates which are determined by the time constants of the respective resistorcapacitor circuits, and it will be further understood by those skilled in the art that the time I constants may be controlled by proper selection of the values of the capacitors and the resistors to cause the stage 65 to remain conducting for the desired forty-five seconds and stage 6| for fifteen seconds. for stage 6l may be varied by the potentiometer 18 and a similar provision (not shown) may be made for stage 60 as will be well understood.

The sensitivity of the amplifier comprising means i3 and I4 may be adjusted to accommodate the signal strengths of diiferent bell circuits in different instruments by means of a potentiometer 51a in the grid circuit of stage 5l.

The entire circuit may be energized by any suitable means such as the alternating current power source 'i9 connected tl rough an on-ofi switch 8G to a suitable rectifier circuit constituting the unidirectional power source 3B already mentioned. The low potential side of source 55 constitutes the ground mentioned herein and this is connected to a conventional chassis (not shown) by a suitable capacitor Si.

The elements indicated within block comprise a conventional means for announcing to the caller the fact that his conversation is being recorded and thus correspond to the means 32 of the Fig. 1.

For affording the local operator an indication of the fact that his amplifier is in proper operation when such is desired and also for giving him some rough measure of the volume level there may be provided the, signal means 82 such as a neon light of conventional form connected to the amplifier output and to the erase oscillator cathode, as shown.

The time constant and period 10 With the foregoing general outline of the circuit, the manner of functioning thereof in accordance with the explanation of the Fig. 1 together with further and more detailed elements thereof will be understood from the following description of operation:

Automatic operation to answer and record incoming messages in receioers absence If the user at the local station should desire to set the system for the automatic answering and recording of incoming messages, he will close the switch il@ to the power source, move the,

switch i6 to the position No. 1 (Record) thereby simultaneously closing the switch 45. Thereafter he will move both the selector switches 29 and 3i) to their positions l as shown. By tracing the various circuits through the switch means 25, 35, d5 and dii, it will be seen as already suggested in discussing Fig. l, that the automatic speech pick-up coil i5 is connected to the input of ampliier 2l through switches Sli and 40, the amplier output is connected to the recording coil 56 at switch di, the erase oscillator 48 is energized by grounding of its cathode at switch 45, the circuit of eraser coil 49 is completed at switch 42, the speaker 8 is disconnected at switch 43 and resistor 55 substituted in its place, and the power to the means i3 and iii is connected at switch 33. The play-back and microphone circuits are disconnected from the amplifier input at switch lit. It is apparent therefore that the system is ready to lrecord sound signals coming from coil 5 when motor l5 is energized.

Should now an incoming call be announced by the ringing of the bell by the bell coil 4, a voltage of the bell frequency, for example, about 20 cycles in the case of conventional bells, will be induced in the coil i@ and transmitted to the input of the rst two amplier stages 56 and 51 of the means i3 and it. This will result in the development of a positive voltage through the rectifier stage 58 imposedv upon the grid of the stage Gil. That grid, as well as the grid of stage 5|, is in the absence of a signal, normally biased negatively through the connection 73 as already indicated. Because of the momentary positive voltage originating with the bell signal, the stage Bil will be caused to conduct and the relay 64 will be energized drawing all four contacts 66 through 55 from their normal positions l in the absence of a signal to their positions 2. rlhereupon the device i2 for lifting the telephone will be energized by switch 68, the means 32 circuit will be energized by switch 59, and both of the resistor-capacitor circuits 62 and 63, previously charged by the voltage doubler 11, will be connected to the grids of the stages 60 and 52 respectively. Because of the long time constant of the resistor-capacitor circuit 62, the stage 6E! will remain conducting for about fortyive seconds for the purpose already described, thereby maintaining the relay 54 in an energized state for that period` Similarly, the resistorcapacitor circuit 63 will maintain the stage 6I' telephone earpiece- 9 to the caller. wire I9 isbeing vwound on to the spool I8 at this time, however, neither the callers'voice nor the a tions 1 shown totheir Vpositions 2 thus connecting the phonograph record'input 24 to the inputof the second stage'of amplifier 21 at switch 453, connecting the speaker 8 in circuit with the amplifier output at switch..56 and, at the same time, energizing thetonearmoperator. means 26 at switch 1I. Switch 'I0 grounds the recorder coil 50 for the `fifteen second period to 'prevent recordation of the pre-recorded message on the wire I9. In order to prevent interference with the further operation by stray signals coming in to the amplier means I3 and I4 from the bell circuit during the predetermined periods of nftcen and forty-five seconds, the stage 51 is rendered non-conducting by the opening of its cathode circuit by the-switch `68.

At this stageof operation. the system is in a f position to transmit to the caller whatever mesh sage has `been pre-recorded on the phonograph record I1 through the inputcoil 24. The energization of the device 26 by the switch 'II'of relay 65'will have dropped the-tone arm 25 to the record at its beginning for that purpose. The

Y message .on the record will, of co"rse,be transmitted to speaker 8 and thence throrgh the Recording vmessage sent to him from the disk Il will be recorded on the wire-because the switch 'IVI is on its position 2'during this fifteen secondinterval.

By grounding the-upper end of recorder coil 22, i. e., by connecting ity-to the lower side of the power input line, the switch 'In prevents anv voice currents from going into the recorder coil 22.

At the end ofthe fteen second interval the x relay-65 will bedeenergized thus disconnecting the coil 24 from the amplifier at switch F3, disconnecting the-speaker 8 and substituting the dummy resistor Y55 in its place, returning the @switch -l -to its position 1 to remove the-ground connection from the recorder coil` and deenergizing the tone arm operating device "3 at swtch II- whereupon device 26 returns the tone arm to its initial position, as already indicated. The sys- `temis thereupon placed in condition toreceive land record the -callers voice and message in the followingmanner:

. Through the selector switches 29-and 3i), the

- automatic speechV pick-up coil 6 will have-been connected -to the input .of amplifier 2'! at the switches 34 .and 40. -The switch45 wil1.have grounded the-cathode ofthe eraseoscillatorA so that itis in oscillationandalready conditioning the wiregfor receipt ofthe callers vrice.. The switch-.38v will have energized. the, necessary control circuitsY of the means- I Sand I4. The switches A69 and. willhave energized the means 32 to ad- 4vise `the callerthat heisbeing recorded, but only when means 32 is in use as hereinafter indcated. .The output Aof the .amplifier 2'! will have been connected to the recorder coil through the switch .4 I....-and,. at. the same time, the circuit of the Ifdummyresistori .will have been completed at switch 43.' The eraser coil .'49 will have been connected to the circuit by `switch V42.

With .this situation the callers voice will be automatically recorded on .the Wire. At thesame time, becauselthe speaker. is'fout'of circuit, his 'voice .will .not byrepeated't' him over the'telephone line. At the termination of the forty-live secondv interval, the'relay '54 will be deenergized Vand the entire system. will have been returned `to its"originalgconditionand'thus prepared for the receipt 'of further calls.

. Play-baclcby local would be receiving party Should the local'party desire to hear any message which might have been recorded on the wire I9 in the foregoing manner he may do so by switching the selector switches 29 and SG and switch 46 to positions No. 2 after first having rewound the wire by manipulation of the'switch 46 to its position No. 3 (while switch 29 is on position No. 2). In position No. 3 an idler connection indicated schematically only as idler means 46a will be connected to the motor to reverse its direction for rewinding at the same time that power is supplied for rewind. With 30 and 45 on positions No. 2, the recorder coil 22 is connected to the input of the amplifierv 2'I through the second position of the switches 4I) and 4I, whereupon the recorded soundA signals already on the wire will be passed through the amplifier and, since thelspeaker 8 is again connected in circuit by switch 43, the recorded voice may be heard by the local operator. Switch 42 grounds the amplifier recording output during play-back in order toprevent feed-back through switch stray capacity. The means 32 is disconnected at switch 44.

Recordatz'on of normal` two-way conversation If the local operator should desire torecord vnormal two-way telephone conversations without circuit of the means I3 and I4 will ,be deenergized because switch 38 is open. .The means 32 will be energized by switch 39 but only when in use as hereinafter indicated. The speaker 8 will, of course, be out of circuit but its place will be taken by the dummy resistor.55 through switch 43. The recorder coil 22 will, of course, beconnected to the amplier output by switch 4I. Normal recording of the two sides of the conversation may therefore take place without the energization of the means I3 and I4 nor the coil I2 nor the tone arm operator 2B.

If the local user chooses to repeat this two-way conversation he may simply turn his selector switch 3i) and switch 46 back to positions No. 2 and operate as ,previously described for playback.

Microphone operation the speaker il is taken out of circuit and the resistor 55 substituted at switch 43, the amplifier output is connected to the recorder at switch 4I, the erase oscillator is started by the switch 45 near the motor I5 and the Whole system is thereby in a position to record. Play-back is accomplished as before by turning the selector switch 3D and switch c5 to positionsNo. Z'after rewind- 13 ing by temporary use of position No. 3 of switch 46.

Optional use of means 32 It will be understood that means 32 includes means for electrically exchanging signals by direct connection with the telephone circuit. If it be desired to dispense with the use of means 32, switch 33 may be placed in its position No. 1, in which the signal output from means 32 is disconnected from amplifier 2l. However, if it be desired to use means 32, its direct connection to the telephone line may also be used in the stead of coil as a means of picking up speech signals. ln that situation, switch 33 may be placed on its position No. 2 and the means 32 will not only be in operation to convey its warning of recordation to the caller but the callers speech signals will be transmitted through means e2 to Voltage divider circuit 32a for transmission to ampliiier 2 via switches 34 and di).

General It is to be noted that the system includes safety features precluding improper or damaging operation by operator inadvertence. Thus-since the cathodes of oscillator 58 and stages (is and Si of means i3 and lil are grounded only when the means 3l (switch d6) is in Record position No. 1 (switch t5 is ganged to switch 45) relays i-i and and oscillator 48 cannot function in Play-back or Rewind Therefore, there is no danger that an incoming call might operate the system during Play-back or Rc-wind, nor can oscillator is interfere during these times by erasing the recording or in any other way. Also since the means I3 and M are deenergized by switch 2S during microphone recording an incoming call cannot interfere then.

While there has been shown and described but one embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A system adapted to operate a telephone .instrument or the type including a sound signal receiver-transmitter unit, a circuit controller for normally disestablishing a telephone circuit by the weight of said unit and establishing said circuit when unit is raised, and an annunciator of calls received, said system comprising a reception circuit for receiving sound signals from said receiver, a transmission circuit for transmitting sound signals to said transmitter, iirst means operable in response to a signal received 'from said annunciator for raising said unit to o erate said circuit controller to establish said telephone and reception circuits for a predetermined period of time, second means operable in response to a signal received from said annunciator for establishing said transmission. circuit ier a second predetermined period or time, phonograph means for generating and transmitting sound signais through said transmission circuit and transmitter to said telephone circuit during said second predetermined period of time, and second phonograph means for receiving recording sound signals from said telephone circuit through said receiver and reception circuit during said first predetermined period of time.

2. A system as in claim 1 including means operated by said second means for rendering said ill) second phonograph means inoperative during said second predetermined period.

3. A system as in claim 1 including sound translation means whereby said sound signals recorded by said second phonograph means may be translated into sound, and switching means for rendering said system operable to record sound signals by said second phonograph means or to translate sound signals so recorded by said sound translation means.

e. A system as in claim 1 including a recording circuit for interconnecting said instrument and said second phonograph means for recording sound signals transmitted in either direction over said telephone circuit, and switching means for rendering said system operable to record on said second phonograph means sound signals received over said reception circuit or transmitted over said telephone circuit to said recording circuit.

5. A system as in claim 1 including a sound pickup device for translating sounds unassociated with said instrument and switch means for connecting said device to said second phonograph means while rendering said transmission and reception circuits inoperative.

6. A system adapted to operate a telephone instrument of the type including a sound signal receiver and a sound signal transmitter, a circuit controller ror establishing and disestablishing a telephone circuit, and an annunciator of calls received, said system comprising a device for operating said controller, a callers message responsive device for deriving incoming sound signals from said receiver, an annunciator responsive device for deriving from said annunciator a signal upon announcement of an incoming call, a local message device for transmitting outgoing sound signals to said transmitter and for reproducing recorded sound signals, a sound signal ampliiier having an input and an output, rst phonograph means for reproducing prerecorded outgoing sound signals, second phonograph means for recording and reproducing incoming sound signals, a reception circuit for connecting said callers message device to said ampliiier input and said amplier output to said second phonograph means for recording incoming sound signals from said receiver, a transmission circuit for connecting said local message device to said amplifier output and said amplifier input to said first phonograph means for transmitting pre-recorded outgoing sound signals to said local message device for transmission to said transmitter, a reproduction circuit for connecting said second phonograph means to said ampliiler input and said amplier output to said local message device for local reproduction of signals recorded on said second phonograph means; first control means operable for a first predetermined period of time in response to a signal received from said annunciator responsive device and connectable in circuit with the latter, said second phonograph means, and said device for operating said controller for energizing said second phonograph means and operating said circuit controller to establish said telephone circuit during said first predetermined period of time; and second control means operable for a second predetermined period of time in response to a signal from'said annunciator responsive device and connectable in circuit between the latter and said nrst phonograph means for energizing saidfirst phonograph means and establishing said transmission circuit during said second predetermined period of time.

causar-39 15 .7.1 A'fsystem as inc1aim 6 including means operated by saidlsecondfcontrol means for renderlingA said `'second lphonographmeans inoperative to recordsound signals Vduring said second preildeterm'ined period.

B iA'system'- as in claim 6 including switch means for selectively connecting said reception `circuit while disconnecting said reproduction cir- "cuit,' or connecting. said reproduction circuit while disconnecting 1 said reception circuit, whereby said system may be rendered selectively operativeeither to record an incoming message or reproducesignals recorded on 'said second "phonograph means.

9. A system as in claim 8 in which said second phonograph nieans comprises a magnetizable wire-recording andreproducing device, said system including eraser means for conditioning said wire during recording said switch means includ- "ing means for rendering said eraser means operative during recording,l but inoperative during reproduction by said second phonograph means.

l 10.' A system asv in claim 8 including a micro- "phone and a microphone circuit for connecting said microphone to said amplier input and said f amplifier output to said second phonograph means for recording sound signals derived'from said microphone, said -switch means vincluding -fme`ans for selectively connecting said microphone circi'iit'while disconnecting said reception and reproduction circuits, or disconnecting said mi- "crophone circuit while connecting one of said i reception and reproduction circuits and disconnecting the other thereof.

11. A systemlas in claim 10 in which said sec- "ondphonograph means comprises a magnetizable wire-recording and reproducing device, said "system including eraser means for conditioning 'said wire during'recording, said switch means including means for rendering said eraser means "operative duringrecording, but inoperative dur- 'ing reproduction by said second Yphonograph wmeans.

12. A system as in claim 6 including recordation announcer means for transmitting to said ytelephone circuits a signal advising callers that conversations are being recorded, means oper- Sable by said first control means for energizing said recordation announcer during said first predet-e 'mined period.

-' 13. A system as in claim 6 in which said first phonograph means includes a tone arm and a tm'ntahle'adap dto hold a pre-recorded message and a device responsive to saidsecond'controlmeans adapted automatically to lower said tone arm to said turntable at the commencement .of said second predetermined period of time and aut'cmaticallyto raise and' return said `tone arm to a predetermined starting position at the end of said second predetermined period of time "wherebysaidpre-recorded message may be repeated occasionally.

i 14: A' system as in claim G' in' which saidV rst dse-cond control means comprise-an ampliiier fincluding first second normally deenergized electron: dischargedevices, a first circuit for enerigiaing said vrst electron discharge device for said 'G a. predetermined period of time responsive to a signal received from said annunciator device, a

f second circuit for'energizing said second electron discharge device for said second predetermined @period ottime responsive to a signal received from Vamiunciator responsive device,Y and re- -f-lays'; responsive .to l energization of said electron discharge devices.

-1 16 $115. A system'adapted to .operate a telephone instrument of the type including a sound signal receiver and a sound signaltransmitter, a circuit controller for establishing and disestablishing a telephone circuit, and an annunciator of calls received, said system comprising a device for operating said controller, a callers message responsive device for deriving incoming sound signals from said receiver; an annunciator responsive device for deriving from said annunciator a signal upon announcement of an incoming call, a local message device for transmitting outgoing sound signals to said transmitter and for reproducing recorded sound signals, a sound signal amplifier having an input and an output, a two-way pickup device for derivingr from said instrument sound signals of a normal incoming and outgoing message exchange, rst phonograph means for reproducing pre-recorded outgoing sound signals, second phonograph means for recording and reproducing incoming sound signals, a reception circuit for connecting said callers message device to said amplifier input and said amplifier output to said second phonograph means for recording incoming sound signals from said receiver, a transmission circuit for connecting said local rnessage device to said amplier output and said amplifier input to said rst phonograph means for transmitting pre-recorded outgoing sound signals to' said local message device for transmission to transmitter a recording circuit for connecting said two-way pickup device to said amplifier' input and said amplier output to said second phonograph means for recording sound signals of said message exchange, a reproduction circuit for connecting said second phonograph means to said amplier input and said amplifier output to said local message device for local reproduction of signals recorded on said second phonograph means; first controlmeans operable for a first predetermined period of time in response to a signal received from said annunciator responsive device and connectable in circuit with the latter, said second phonograph means, and said device for operatingsaid controller for energizing said second phonograph means and operating said circuit controller to establish said telephone circuit during said first predetermined period of time; and second control means operable for a second predetermined period of time in response to a signal from said annunciator responsive device and connectable in circuit between the latter and said iirst'phonograph means for energizing said first phonograph means and establishing said transmission circuit during said second predetermined period of time.

16. A-system as in claim l5 including means operated by said second control means for rendering said second phonograph means inoperative to record sound signals during said second predetermined period.

17. A system as in claim 15 including switch means for selectively connecting one of said reception or recording circuits while disconnecting 17 Y erable by said first control means for energizing said recordation announcer during said first predetermined period, and in which said switch means includes means for energizing said recordation announcer means While said recording circuit is connected.

19. A system as in claim 17 in which said second phonograph means comprises a magnetizable Wire recording and reproducing device, said system including eraser means for conditioning said wire during recording said switch means including means for rendering said eraser means operative during recording, but inoperative during reproduction by said second phonograph means.

20. A system as in claim 17 including a microphone and a microphone circuit for connecting said microphone to said amplifier input and said amplifier output to said second phonograph means for recording sound signals derived from said microphone, said switch means including means for selectively connecting said microphone circuit while disconnecting said reception, recording and reproduction circuits, or disconnecting said microphone circuit while connecting one of said reception, recording and reproduction circuits and disconnecting the others thereof.

21. A system as in claim 20 in which said second phonograph means comprises a magnetizable wire recording and reproducing device, said system including eraser means for conditioning said 2` wire during recording, said switch means including means for rendering said eraser means operative during recording, but inoperative during reproduction by said second phonograph means.

22. A system as in claim 15 including switch 1 means for selectively connecting said recording circuit while disconnecting said reception circuit and rst and second control means, or vice versa.

23. A system as in claim 15 in which said rst phonograph means includes a tone arm and a, turntable adapted to hold a pre-recorded message and a device responsive to said second control means adapted automatically to lower said tone arm to said turntable at the commencement of said second predetermined period of time and automatically to raise and return said tone arm to a predetermined starting position at the end of said second predetermined period of time whereby said pre-recorded message may be repeated occasionally.

24. A system as in claim 15 in which said first and second control means comprise an amplifier including first and second normally deenergized electron discharge devices, a first circuit for energizing said first electron discharge device for said first predetermined period of time responsive to a signal received from said annunciator device, a second circuit for energizing said second electron discharge device for said second predetermined period of time responsive to a signal received from said annunciator responsive device, and relays responsive to energization of said electron discharge devices.

ASSEN JORDANOFF; NORMAN ROBIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name DateA 1,560,226 Fisher Nov. 3, 1925 1,738,551 Zuller Dec. 10, 1929 1,778,980 McKeldin Oct. 21, 1930 1,845,034 Bickelhaupt Feb. 16, 1932 1,993,486 Ricchiardi Mar. 5, 1935 2,005,788 Keiser June 25, 1935 2,093,675 Henderson Sept. 21, 1937 2,282,100 Thompson May 5, 1942 2,374,842 Shively et al May 1, 1945 2,393,272 Van Deventer Jan. 22, 1946 

